Is Home Security Monitoring Worth It?

Quick answer: Alarm monitoring is worth it for most homeowners because it provides 24/7 professional emergency response, potential insurance discounts, and peace of mind whether you're home or away.

Key takeaways

• With home security monitoring, you get:
  • 24/7 emergency response; Trained professionals are available around the clock and dispatch help when needed.
  • Faster dispatch times. Monitoring centers contact emergency services on your behalf. Vivint monitoring uses ASAP-to-PSAP protocols for faster, more accurate emergency response.
  • Insurance discounts. Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums when your home has a professionally monitored system.
  • Constant protection. Your home stays protected even when you can't respond to alerts yourself, like when you're asleep or away.

Professional monitoring vs. self-monitoring: What's the difference?

Professional monitoring is a service where trained specialists at a monitoring center are available 24/7 to help in an emergency. When an alarm is triggered, they assess the situation, attempt to contact you, and dispatch emergency services on your behalf if needed. It typically costs $25–$80 per month.

Self-monitoring does not use a monitoring center and instead requires the homeowner to receive alerts, assess the situation, and call for help themselves if needed. While self-monitoring does not have a monthly fee, there is no additional help available in an emergency.

The value of home security monitoring

Instead of having to rely entirely on yourself or a family member to monitor alerts, professionally monitored systems provide an added layer of protection and emergency response. If you’re like 48% of surveyed homeowners with security systems, peace of mind is your motivating factor in selecting a system. The added reassurance that monitored systems provide lets you rest easy knowing your home is protected, even when you can’t check on it yourself.

Busy families need their homes to work smarter. Features like app-controlled locks, smart lighting, video doorbells, AI-powered security cameras, and automation routines help them stay connected to their homes and each other while they’re busy with work, school, and activities. In fact, 62% of homeowners regularly check or monitor their camera feeds, citing the importance of knowing what’s happening at all times. 

But no one can be everywhere at once. That’s where professional monitoring comes in. Professional monitoring helps bring all of those technologies together by adding extra support behind the scenes. 

See how one family's home was saved from a fire thanks to professional monitoring:

How professional monitoring enhances home safety

Professional monitoring enhances your home’s safety in a number of ways:

24/7 response and emergency dispatch

The best home security companies provide monitoring plans that offer round-the-clock response and emergency dispatch if needed. This can include police response if a burglar or motion sensor alarm sounds and fire department if carbon monoxide detector or a smoke alarm goes off.

When an alarm is triggered, the monitoring center:

1. Instantly receives the alert

2. Attempts to contact the homeowner to verify there is an emergency or a false alarm

3. Contacts emergency responders if needed (or if unable to reach the homeowner)

With this type of 24/7 response, it takes the responsibility off the homeowner to contact help, so they can instead focus on getting to safety.

Additionally, if your home security plan includes medical monitoring or a senior alert pendant, the monitoring company will contact the emergency contact’s phone number or dispatch emergency services if needed. This helps provide additional peace of mind to loved ones.

Security management while you’re away

Life gets busy. Between work, taking kids to and from school and activities, travel, and just everyday responsibilities, many homeowners don’t want the burden of constantly monitoring alerts from their cameras and security systems themselves.

Professional monitoring provides additional support by helping manage alerts and even emergencies behind the scenes. This extra layer of security especially useful for:

• Families with children 

• Busy professionals 

• Frequent travelers

• Homeowners with multiple properties 

A professional monitoring service provides peace of mind to homeowners and families when they’re away, so they can focus on work, family, and whatever else is at hand without having to stayed glued to their smartphone app to manage security system notifications.

Potential insurance discounts

Many insurance companies actually offer discounts for professionally monitored home security systems. While savings vary by provider and policy, monitored systems may help reduce homeowners insurance premiums because they can lower the risk of severe property loss.

Reduced loss after burglaries

Research has shown that homes with security systems often experience less financial loss after a burglary. Visible cameras, alarm systems, and fast emergency response can discourage intruders or shorten the amount of time a burglar is in a home, reducing the overall loss.

Overall, the best defense is to prevent burglaries altogether. Monitored home security systems are over 60% less likely to be burglarized, making them an effective deterrent.

The role of 24/7 monitoring in emergency response

When an emergency happens, response time matters.

Without professional monitoring, homeowners are responsible for receiving alerts, determining whether a threat is real, and contacting emergency services themselves. That can become difficult if:

• You’re asleep

• Your phone is silenced

• You’re in an area with poor reception

• You’re traveling

• You miss or ignore a notification

With professional monitoring, trained agents can help bridge that gap.

In fact, nearly half of homeowners—49%—say professional monitoring is an essential part of a security system.

What happens in an emergency response, step-by-step

While processes vary slightly by home security company, a typical professionally monitored response often looks like this:

1. The alarm is detected. A motion sensor, security camera, or smarthome device detects suspicious activity, breach of access, smoke, or another emergency.

2. The monitoring center receives the alert.

3. Verification process begins. The monitoring company’s agents will attempt to verify the emergency. This can include contacting the homeowner through the smartphone app, phone, or two-way communication feature, like the two-way talk feature on the Vivint Smart Hub.

4. Emergency services are contacted. If the threat appears legitimate, or if the homeowner cannot respond or verify it’s a true emergency or false alarm, the monitoring center will then contact emergency responders on your behalf.

5. Homeowner is updated. The best home security systems continue sending app notifications, video clips, and status updates throughout the incident.

When the professional monitoring company works with first responders and homeowners together, it helps ensure your home and family are safe while keeping you updated along the way.

Smart technology and AI in security monitoring

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become part of everyday life around the house. Everything from smart thermostats to streaming services to voice assistants use AI to make life easier, safer, and more convenient.

When it comes to smart home security systems and monitoring, AI has a major role in helping deliver more relevant alerts and provide better awareness of things happening on their property. Some of the uses of AI in home security include:

• Smart security cameras that can identify people, packages, vehicles, or animals

• Video doorbells with motion detection and smart alerts

• Smart locks that automate entry permissions and activity tracking

• Smart lighting systems that automate schedules or occupancy-based controls for enhanced security

More advanced cameras go a step further. Vivint's Smart Deter™ feature uses AI-powered detection to proactively identify potential threats, then automatically trigger lighting patterns and warning sounds to let unwanted visitors know they're on camera.

By combining intelligent detection with proactive deterrence, AI-enabled security systems and features like Smart Deter can help homeowners stay more aware, respond more quickly, and prevent security incidents before they happen.

Common concerns about professional monitoring: cost and privacy

There are many advantages to professional home security monitoring, but for some people, common concerns as they research home security systems include the cost of monitoring and privacy.

Home security system costs

Professional monitoring costs $25–$80 per month, depending on the provider and monitoring plan. These are the most common costs of a professionally monitored home security systems:

• Equipment. You will have to purchase the equipment, which includes security cameras, motion sensors, a hub to arm and disarm your security system, smart locks, and other security sensors. Some companies, like Vivint, allow you to finance the equipment into more manageable monthly payments.

• Monthly monitoring. Because monthly monitoring is a service, you’ll pay a monthly fee to monitor the home 24/7.

• Professional installation. A professional home security system often includes installation fees. This ensures all the smart home devices are installed correctly and work together properly. Most companies charge between $99–$199 for this service.

Additional fees (depending on company) might include activation fees or early cancellation fees. You can also add optional services that may add to your overall monthly bill, such as cloud storage for cameras.

While professional monitoring does add an ongoing expense compared to self-monitoring, many people find that the added convenience, around-the-clock support, and emergency response assistance is worth the cost. For some households, potential homeowners insurance discounts may also help offset a portion of the cost.

If cost is a concern, look for a home security company that offer monthly installment plans or that will help you build a custom system based on your budget.

Privacy

As connected devices become more common, many homeowners understandably have questions about how their data is collected, stored, and protected.

The best home security system companies recognize these concerns and implement multiple safeguards to help protect their customer's information. Look for home security companies that offer safeguards like:

• Data encryption during transmission and storage

• Multi-factor authentication and account security controls

• Clearly defined privacy policies

• User-controlled permissions and privacy settings

You can also take it a step further and look for systems that allow you to customize camera recording preferences, notification settings, and device access for greater control over how your security system operates and what information is collected.

At the end of the day, you should choose a trusted, well-known provider with transparent privacy practices. By understanding how data is managed and what security measures are in place, you can make more informed decisions.

Who should get professional monitoring?

Still deciding whether or not professional monitoring is right for you? It's helpful to consider your personal situation and needs. Homeowners who benefit most from professional monitoring include:

• Those who work in an office setting or have jobs that take them away the majority of the day

• People who travel frequently, leaving their home unattended for prolonged periods of time

• Families with children or elderly members at home

• Owners of multiple properties

• Homeowners with multiple entry points to monitor

• Anyone who lives in a high-crime area

• Homeowners who want to take advantage of insurance discounts

• People with medical conditions or at higher risk of falls who want one-touch access to help

• Anyone who wants guaranteed response when sleeping or unavailable

At the end of the day, professional monitoring makes sense for anyone who wants added peace of mind and an extra layer of protection for their home.

Peace of mind around the clock

Professional monitoring is more than just responding to emergencies—it plays a crucial role in creating a smarter, automated, and more comprehensive approach to home security.

As smart technology becomes more engrained in daily life, professionally monitored systems can help homeowners stay protected through AI-powered cameras, smart automation, and around-the-clock emergency support.

If you’re ready to start protecting your home today, let Vivint help. With industry-leading professional response times, AI-powered security cameras and devices, and professional installation included with every system, Vivint allows you to create a custom home security system that fits your needs and budget. Give us a call at 855.822.1220 today.

What does Vivint professional monitoring include?

Vivint 24/7 Professional Monitoring protects millions of homes every day with in-house specialists who are always ready when you need them. With Vivint, you'll get:

• 24/7 professional monitoring. Trained in-house monitoring specialists are available to respond to security alerts day and night, so you're never alone in an emergency.
• Emergency dispatch. Monitoring agents can contact first responders when needed. Vivint monitoring specialists follow ASAP protocols for faster, more accurate emergency response.
• Intrusion detection. Door & Window Sensors, Glass Break Sensors, and Motion Detectors monitor key points in your home. If there's ever unusual activity, monitoring specialists will reach out to help.
• Smoke and CO detection. Smart sensors monitor for smoke, fire, and CO in the home.
• The Vivint app. Real-time alerts and system status updates are available from anywhere with the Vivint app. If an alarm goes off in your home, you'll know right away.

How much does Vivint professional monitoring cost? Plans start at $24.99 per month

Alarm monitoring FAQs

Alarm monitoring is a smart move for most households considering a security system. Here's what you should know.

Is professional monitoring worth the cost?

Yes, for many homeowners, professional monitoring is worth the monthly cost of $25–$80. It provides 24/7 support, emergency response, and added peace of mind that can be valuable when you travel, are at work, or are asleep.

How much does professional monitoring cost?

Professional monitoring typically costs $25–$80 per month. Typically, you will purchase your equipment, and have a separate monthly subscription charge for monitoring. 

What is the difference between professional and self-monitoring?

Professional monitoring is a service where a monitoring center staffed by trained specialists is alerted when an alarm goes off in your home. They are responsible for contacting the homeowners and dispatching emergency services if needed. Self-monitoring requires homeowners to monitor and respond to alerts, assess the situation, and call for help, if needed, on their own.

What are the drawbacks of self-monitoring?

Self-monitoring relies on the homeowner to always be available to respond to alerts. If you miss a notification, aren't home, or are otherwise unavailable, it could delay help.

How much does Vivint charge for alarm monitoring?

Vivint 24/7 professional monitoring plans start at just $24.99 per month.

What do Vivint customers say about professional monitoring?

“It was a very stressful day and I thought I had turned everything off when I left, but I hadn't. I had left the stove on with food on it. Vivint called me when the smoke alarm went off and called the fire department before the grease on the other burner was reached. Had the department not gotten there when they had, I would have been homeless. I am forever grateful to Vivint for saving my home.”

Martha J.

Mullins, SC

“We like that a live person calls and stays with you to make sure you're okay, even if it's just a malfunction. It was the middle of the night and our adult daughter was home alone sleeping when the alarm went off. She was terrified. The person on the phone kept her company until the police arrived and checked out the house. Turned out to be a faulty sensor, but she felt safer because she wasn't alone. Now that she has her own home, she has Vivint as her alarm provider. She wouldn't consider another alarm company after her experience.”

Michael Ramaglia

Romeoville, IL

“Our front door was recently opened while we were not home. Vivint acted quickly, contacting the police who were there in minutes. Thank you for keeping my family safe!”

Alexis S. Youngstown, OH